USO of North Carolina

Celebrate Together

Let us celebrate together, what we have accomplished together!

Judy Pitchford
President (2002-2009)
USO of North Carolina, Inc.
Photo courtesy of Chuck Beckley.

As we bid adieu to 2008, so must I do the same to the position that I have been blessed to hold for the past 7 years.

I will relinquish my title as the President of the USO of North Carolina effective Friday, January 2, 2009. However, before I do that, please allow me the opportunity to share a few thoughts and extend my most heartfelt appreciation to each and every great American that is a part of this wonderful organization.

Twenty-eight years ago I came to North Carolina as a sassy little 19 year old Marine Private from the south side of Chicago. I was so full of myself and thought the people of this state were “so slow and just way too sappy sweet.” Who would have known that the sassy little girl would be so honored and humbled to join the ranks of the “so slow and sappy sweet” citizens of North Carolina and be so proud to raise her own family here and call NC home. With age comes wisdom.

A lot has happened in 7 years as we grew from the USO council of Jacksonville/Camp Lejeune with just the center in Jacksonville with a hand full of dedicated volunteers; 2 two full time and 3 part time staff members to the USO of North Carolina with 4 extremely active centers, over 800 dedicated volunteers; 10 full time and 11 part time staff members. During that time we have brought the wonderful NC hospitality and the USO mission to over 536,000 military and family members and the numbers keep growing as we step up to the needs of our military stationed in or traveling through North Carolina.

I am a big dreamer and have come up with some really crazy ideas, but I can honestly say I could never have dreamed we would be where we are today.

It would take me years to thank each one of you who have made this all possible, but please allow me to try - by grouping you.

The most important group would be the volunteers. Without you, this organization could not and would not exist. Your loving dedication to the troops, their families and the USO cannot be matched. You are great Americans and I have been humbled to see you all in action. Thank you for your dedication, support of both financial and in-kind support and sharing your valuable time with us.

To all who have ever served as a council member, advisory committee member or a member of the Board of Directors: I can never thank you enough for your patience, understanding, support and most importantly for sharing the vision. You have provided the wisdom, oversight and governance to ensure we grew smartly and taught me that we don’t all have to agree on everything to reach the desired accomplishment.

Past and present team (staff) members: As one very important USO person once told me, “This is not a job for 'woosies.'” The hours are long, the pay is short, but there is no doubt in our minds that this is the best darn job a human being could have! On my worst days, all I had to do is think about whom we serve and what they go through daily. It’s the huge grin and “THANK YOU!” from the young Private that is totally shocked that he can have that Coke and sandwich totally free; the exhausted and frustrated young mother traveling alone with two hungry and tired children, who feels totally safe in our airport centers; it’s the mom and dad standing beside us in the pouring rain at 2:00 a.m. to see their only child off to the combat zone and it is the PFC who spent her “best birthday ever” among her Marine brothers and sisters at the USO on Thanksgiving day 2003. Thank you for helping me “live the dream”. It has been a privilege to laugh with you, cry with you and work beside you.

To all the patriotic Americans who have provided the means necessary for the staff and volunteers to carry out the USO mission. You get it… the USO is the way America supports the troops! To all the individual donors, corporations, foundations, small businesses, United Way, CFC and NC Employees Campaigns thank you so very much for believing in the USO and investing in our mission.

I cannot forget our media partners who have helped us get the message out to the communities that we support. My fellow USO Presidents call me the “Media Queen” because the USO of NC is continuously in the top media hits of the entire USO organization. If you have a few hours, just type USO of NC in the Google search engine and you will see what I mean.

To the men and women of the worldwide USO organization: Thank you for allowing me to be a part of the “One USO” team. When I first came to the USO in 2002 and through the years, it has been you that has taught me how to do it so well. They say imitation is the greatest form of flattery. Well I hope you are truly flattered, because I have done nothing but imitate those who do this mission so well. Thank you for taking care of our North Carolina troops when they were in your AOR.

And the reason we do all of this: To the men, women and families of the Armed Forces. You have been my reason to get up in the morning and go to work each and every day. Your sacrifices can never be repaid, but please know that you are the USO’s mission and passion and I personally thank you for allowing me the honor of serving you.

There are untold thousands who have helped me the past 7 years, but only 5 who have lived each and every minute and emotion with me - my 5 favorite “voluntolds.” My husband Shannon and four children have stood beside me and behind me every step of the way. Thank you for sharing every new center, the 2:00 a.m. deployments, the “hurry up and wait” hours at homecomings, the past 7 Thanksgivings and Christmases and putting up with my uncanny ability to change my mind and direction in a split moment. I cherish your love and support.

As any good commander would do… I shall step down from my leadership position and proudly join the ranks of the volunteers of the USO of NC.


Semper USO!
Judy Pitchford
President (2002-2009) USO of North Carolina, Inc.

Now Playing
Great videos selected by the USO of North Carolina

Please select a featured video from this list.

• United Way of Onslow County's 2008 Campaign - (13.5 meg) featuring USO of North Carolina volunteers!
• The Gratitude Campaign - for more information on the Gratitude Campaign, please visit: www.gratitudecampaign.org